1
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Chu YD, Lai MW, Yeh CT. Unlocking the Potential of Arginine Deprivation Therapy: Recent Breakthroughs and Promising Future for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10668. [PMID: 37445845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis to maintain cellular functions. Recent studies suggest that arginine also promotes wound healing, cell division, ammonia metabolism, immune system regulation, and hormone biosynthesis-all of which are critical for tumor growth. These discoveries, coupled with the understanding of cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, have led to renewed interest in arginine deprivation as a new anticancer therapy. Several arginine deprivation strategies have been developed and entered clinical trials. The main principle behind these therapies is that arginine auxotrophic tumors rely on external arginine sources for growth because they carry reduced key arginine-synthesizing enzymes such as argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) in the intracellular arginine cycle. To obtain anticancer effects, modified arginine-degrading enzymes, such as PEGylated recombinant human arginase 1 (rhArg1-PEG) and arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20), have been developed and shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. They have been tried as a monotherapy or in combination with other existing therapies. This review discusses recent advances in arginine deprivation therapy, including the molecular basis of extracellular arginine degradation leading to tumor cell death, and how this approach could be a valuable addition to the current anticancer arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-De Chu
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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2
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Zhou X, Suo F, Haslinger K, Quax WJ. Artemisinin-Type Drugs in Tumor Cell Death: Mechanisms, Combination Treatment with Biologics and Nanoparticle Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:395. [PMID: 35214127 PMCID: PMC8875250 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin, the most famous anti-malaria drug initially extracted from Artemisia annua L., also exhibits anti-tumor properties in vivo and in vitro. To improve its solubility and bioavailability, multiple derivatives have been synthesized. However, to reveal the anti-tumor mechanism and improve the efficacy of these artemisinin-type drugs, studies have been conducted in recent years. In this review, we first provide an overview of the effect of artemisinin-type drugs on the regulated cell death pathways, which may uncover novel therapeutic approaches. Then, to overcome the shortcomings of artemisinin-type drugs, we summarize the recent advances in two different therapeutic approaches, namely the combination therapy with biologics influencing regulated cell death, and the use of nanocarriers as drug delivery systems. For the former approach, we discuss the superiority of combination treatments compared to monotherapy in tumor cells based on their effects on regulated cell death. For the latter approach, we give a systematic overview of nanocarrier design principles used to deliver artemisinin-type drugs, including inorganic-based nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, polymer-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and niosomes. Both approaches have yielded promising findings in vitro and in vivo, providing a strong scientific basis for further study and upcoming clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristina Haslinger
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (X.Z.); (F.S.)
| | - Wim J. Quax
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (X.Z.); (F.S.)
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3
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Catalani E, Giovarelli M, Zecchini S, Perrotta C, Cervia D. Oxidative Stress and Autophagy as Key Targets in Melanoma Cell Fate. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225791. [PMID: 34830947 PMCID: PMC8616245 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes and is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The recent approval of several drugs has increased the chance of survival although a significant subset of patients with metastatic melanoma do not show a long-lasting response to these treatments. The complex cross-talk between oxidative stress and the catabolic process autophagy seems to play a central role in all aspects of melanoma pathophysiology, from initiation to progression and metastasis, including drug resistance. However, determining the fine role of autophagy in cancer death and in response to redox disruption is still a fundamental challenge in order to advance both basic and translational aspects of this field. In order to summarize the interactions among reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, autophagy machinery and proliferation/growth/death/apoptosis/survival, we provide here a narrative review of the preclinical evidence for drugs/treatments that modulate oxidative stress and autophagy in melanoma cells. The significance and the potential for pharmacological targeting (also through multiple and combination approaches) of these two different events, which can contribute independently or simultaneously to the fate of melanoma, may help to define new processes and their interconnections underlying skin cancer biology and unravel new reliable approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Matteo Giovarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (M.G.); (S.Z.)
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (M.G.); (S.Z.)
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (M.G.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
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4
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Kumari N, Bansal S. Arginine depriving enzymes: applications as emerging therapeutics in cancer treatment. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 88:565-594. [PMID: 34309734 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04335-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy and other medications are employed to treat various types of cancer. However, each treatment has its own set of side effects, owing to its low specificity. As a result, there is an urgent need for newer therapeutics that do not disrupt healthy cells' normal functioning. Depriving nutrient or non/semi-essential amino acids to which cancerous cells are auxotrophic remains one such promising anticancer strategy. L-Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential vital amino acid involved in versatile metabolic processes, signaling pathways, and cancer cell proliferation. Hence, the administration of Arg depriving enzymes (ADE) such as arginase, arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and arginine deiminase (ADI) could be effective in cancer therapy. The Arg auxotrophic cancerous cells like hepatocellular carcinoma, human colon cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer cells are sensitive to ADE treatment due to low expression of crucial enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), and ornithine transcarbamylase (OCT). These therapeutic enzyme treatments induce cell death through inducing autophagy, apoptosis, generation of oxidative species, i.e., oxidative stress, and arresting the progression and expansion of cancerous cells at certain cell cycle checkpoints. The enzymes are undergoing clinical trials and could be successfully exploited as potential anticancer agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology Waknaghat, Solan, 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Saurabh Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology Waknaghat, Solan, 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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5
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Wu C, You M, Nguyen D, Wangpaichitr M, Li YY, Feun LG, Kuo MT, Savaraj N. Enhancing the Effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Signaling and Arginine Deprivation in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147628. [PMID: 34299249 PMCID: PMC8306073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma as a very aggressive type of cancer is still in urgent need of improved treatment. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) are two of many suggested drugs for treating melanoma. Both have shown anti-tumor activities without harming normal cells. However, resistance to both drugs has also been noted. Studies on the mechanism of action of and resistance to these drugs provide multiple targets that can be utilized to increase the efficacy and overcome the resistance. As a result, combination strategies have been proposed for these drug candidates with various other agents, and achieved enhanced or synergistic anti-tumor effect. The combination of TRAIL and ADI-PEG20 as one example can greatly enhance the cytotoxicity to melanoma cells including those resistant to the single component of this combination. It is found that combination treatment generally can alter the expression of the components of cell signaling in melanoma cells to favor cell death. In this paper, the signaling of TRAIL and ADI-PEG20-induced arginine deprivation including the main mechanism of resistance to these drugs and exemplary combination strategies is discussed. Finally, factors hampering the clinical application of both drugs, current and future development to overcome these hurdles are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjing Wu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Min You
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
| | - Dao Nguyen
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Medhi Wangpaichitr
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ying-Ying Li
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Lynn G. Feun
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Macus T. Kuo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Niramol Savaraj
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-575-3143; Fax: +1-305-575-3375
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6
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Wang Z, Xie Q, Zhou H, Zhang M, Shen J, Ju D. Amino Acid Degrading Enzymes and Autophagy in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:582587. [PMID: 33510635 PMCID: PMC7836011 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.582587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been renewed interest in metabolic therapy for cancer, particularly in amino acid deprivation by enzymes. L-asparaginase was approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arginine deiminase and recombinant human arginase have been developed into clinical trials as potential cancer therapeutic agents for the treatment of arginine-auxotrophic tumors. Moreover, other novel amino acid degrading enzymes, such as glutaminase, methionase, lysine oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, have been developed for the treatment of malignant cancers. One of the greatest obstacles faced by anticancer drugs is the development of drug resistance, which is reported to be associated with autophagy. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process that is responsible for the degradation of dysfunctional proteins and organelles. There is a growing body of literature revealing that, in response to metabolism stress, autophagy could be induced by amino acid deprivation. The manipulation of autophagy in combination with amino acid degrading enzymes is actively being investigated as a potential therapeutic approach in preclinical studies. Importantly, shedding light on how autophagy fuels tumor metabolism during amino acid deprivation will enable more potential combinational therapeutic strategies. This study summarizes recent advances, discussing several potential anticancer enzymes, and highlighting the promising combined therapeutic strategy of amino acid degrading enzymes and autophagy modulators in tumors
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinghong Xie
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
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7
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Zhang Y, Chung SF, Tam SY, Leung YC, Guan X. Arginine deprivation as a strategy for cancer therapy: An insight into drug design and drug combination. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:58-70. [PMID: 33429005 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Extensive studies have shown that cancer cells have specific nutrient auxotrophy and thus have much a higher demand for certain nutrients than normal cells. Amino acid deprivation has attracted much attention in cancer therapy with positive outcomes from clinical trials. Arginine, as one of the conditionally essential amino acids, plays a pivotal role in cellular division and metabolism. Since many types of cancer cells exhibit decreased expression of argininosuccinate synthetase and/or ornithine transcarbamylase, they are auxotrophic for arginine, which makes arginine deprivation an accessible choice for cancer treatment. Arginine deiminase (ADI) and human arginase (hArg) are the two major protein drugs used for arginine deprivation and are undergoing many clinical trials. However, the clinical application of ADI and hArg is facing some common problems, including their short half-lives, immunogenicity and inconsistent production, which underlines the importance of improving these drugs using protein engineering techniques. Thus, we systematically review the latest studies of protein engineering and anti-cancer studies based on in vitro, in vivo and clinical models of ADI and hArg, and we include the latest studies on drug combinations consisting of ADI/hArg with chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Food Rapid Detection, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Fung Chung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet-Ying Tam
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiao Guan
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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8
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A bioengineered arginine-depleting enzyme as a long-lasting therapeutic agent against cancer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:3921-3934. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10484-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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9
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Vettore L, Westbrook RL, Tennant DA. New aspects of amino acid metabolism in cancer. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:150-156. [PMID: 31819187 PMCID: PMC7052246 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0620-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An abundant supply of amino acids is important for cancers to sustain their proliferative drive. Alongside their direct role as substrates for protein synthesis, they can have roles in energy generation, driving the synthesis of nucleosides and maintenance of cellular redox homoeostasis. As cancer cells exist within a complex and often nutrient-poor microenvironment, they sometimes exist as part of a metabolic community, forming relationships that can be both symbiotic and parasitic. Indeed, this is particularly evident in cancers that are auxotrophic for particular amino acids. This review discusses the stromal/cancer cell relationship, by using examples to illustrate a number of different ways in which cancer cells can rely on and contribute to their microenvironment - both as a stable network and in response to therapy. In addition, it examines situations when amino acid synthesis is driven through metabolic coupling to other reactions, and synthesis is in excess of the cancer cell's proliferative demand. Finally, it highlights the understudied area of non-proteinogenic amino acids in cancer metabolism and their potential role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Vettore
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rebecca L Westbrook
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daniel A Tennant
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
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10
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Zou S, Wang X, Liu P, Ke C, Xu S. Arginine metabolism and deprivation in cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109210. [PMID: 31330440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain cancer cells with nutrient auxotrophy and have a much higher nutrient demand compared with normal human cells. Arginine as a versatile amino acid, has multiple biological functions in metabolic and signaling pathways. Depletion of this amino acid by arginine depletor is generally well tolerated and has become a targeted therapy for arginine auxotrophic cancers. However, the modulatory eff ;ect of arginine on cancer cells is very complicated and still controversial. Therefore, this article focuses on arginine metabolism and depletion therapy in cancer treatment to provide systemical review on this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyun Zou
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangmei Wang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Po Liu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changneng Ke
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shi Xu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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11
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Alexandrou C, Al-Aqbi SS, Higgins JA, Boyle W, Karmokar A, Andreadi C, Luo JL, Moore DA, Viskaduraki M, Blades M, Murray GI, Howells LM, Thomas A, Brown K, Cheng PN, Rufini A. Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer to Arginine Deprivation Therapy is Shaped by Differential Expression of Urea Cycle Enzymes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12096. [PMID: 30108309 PMCID: PMC6092409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30591-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors deficient in the urea cycle enzymes argininosuccinate synthase-1 (ASS1) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) are unable to synthesize arginine and can be targeted using arginine-deprivation therapy. Here, we show that colorectal cancers (CRCs) display negligible expression of OTC and, in subset of cases, ASS1 proteins. CRC cells fail to grow in arginine-free medium and dietary arginine deprivation slows growth of cancer cells implanted into immunocompromised mice. Moreover, we report that clinically-formulated arginine-degrading enzymes are effective anticancer drugs in CRC. Pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20), which degrades arginine to citrulline and ammonia, affects growth of ASS1-negative cells, whereas recombinant human arginase-1 (rhArg1peg5000), which degrades arginine into urea and ornithine, is effective against a broad spectrum of OTC-negative CRC cell lines. This reflects the inability of CRC cells to recycle citrulline and ornithine into the urea cycle. Finally, we show that arginase antagonizes chemotherapeutic drugs oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), whereas ADI-PEG20 synergizes with oxaliplatin in ASS1-negative cell lines and appears to interact with 5-fluorouracil independently of ASS1 status. Overall, we conclude that CRC is amenable to arginine-deprivation therapy, but we warrant caution when combining arginine deprivation with standard chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Alexandrou
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Saif Sattar Al-Aqbi
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK.,Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
| | - Jennifer A Higgins
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - William Boyle
- Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TG, UK
| | - Ankur Karmokar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Catherine Andreadi
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Jin-Li Luo
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - David A Moore
- Department of Pathology, UCL Cancer Centre, UCL, London, UK
| | - Maria Viskaduraki
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Support Hub, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Matthew Blades
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Support Hub, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Graeme I Murray
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25, 2ZD, UK
| | - Lynne M Howells
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Anne Thomas
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Karen Brown
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Paul N Cheng
- Bio-Cancer Treatment International Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alessandro Rufini
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK.
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12
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Autophagy suppression potentiates the anti-glioblastoma effect of asparaginase in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:91052-91066. [PMID: 29207624 PMCID: PMC5710905 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparaginase has been reported to be effective in the treatment of various leukemia and several malignant solid cancers. However, the anti-tumor effect of asparaginase is always restricted due to complicated mechanisms. Herein, we investigated the mechanisms of how glioblastoma resisted asparaginase treatment and reported a novel approach to enhance the anti-glioblastoma effect of asparaginase. We found that asparaginase could induce growth inhibition and caspase-dependent apoptosis in U87MG/U251MG glioblastoma cells. Meanwhile, autophagy was activated as indicated by autophagosomes formation and upregulated expression of LC3-II. Importantly, abolishing autophagy using chloroquine (CQ) and LY294002 enhanced the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by asparaginase in U87MG/U251MG cells. Further study proved that Akt/mTOR and Erk signaling pathways participated in autophagy induction, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) served as an intracellular regulator for both cytotoxicity and autophagy in asparaginase-treated U87MG/U251MG cells. Moreover, combination treatment with autophagy inhibitor CQ significantly enhanced anti-glioblastoma efficacy of asparaginase in U87MG cell xenograft model. Taken together, our results demonstrated that inhibition of autophagy potentiated the anti-tumor effect of asparagine depletion on glioblastoma, indicating that targeting autophagy and asparagine could be a potential approach for glioblastoma treatment.
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13
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Husain I, Bala K, Wani A, Makhdoomi U, Malik F, Sharma A. Arginase purified from endophytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa IH2: Induce apoptosis through both cell cycle arrest and MMP loss in human leukemic HL-60 cells. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 274:35-49. [PMID: 28690100 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Arginase is a therapeutic enzyme for arginine-auxotrophic cancers but their low anticancer activity, less proteolytic tolerance and shorter serum half-life are the major shortcomings. In this study, arginase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa IH2 was purified to homogeneity and estimated as 75 kDa on native-PAGE and 37 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Arginase showed optimum activity at pH 8 and temperature 35 °C. Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions enhanced arginase activity while, Li+, Cu2+, and Al3+ ions reduced arginase activity. In-vitro serum half-life of arginase was 36 h and proteolytic half-life against trypsin and proteinase-K was 25 and 29 min, respectively. Anticancer activity of arginase was evaluated against colon, breast, leukemia, and prostate cancer cell lines and lowest IC50 (0.8 IU ml-1) was found against leukemia cell line HL-60. Microscopic studies and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V/PI staining of HL-60 cells revealed that arginase induced apoptosis in dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis suggested that arginase induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. The increasing level of MMP loss, ROS generation and decreasing level of SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH suggested that arginase treatment triggered dysfunctioning of mitochondria. The cleavage of caspase-3, PARP-1, activations of caspase-8, 9 and high expression of proapoptotic protein Bax, low expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 indicated that arginase treatment activates mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Purified arginase did not exert cytotoxic effects on human noncancer cells. Our study strongly supports that arginase could be used as potent anticancer agent but further studies are required which are underway in our lab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islam Husain
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Kiran Bala
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Abubakar Wani
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Ubaid Makhdoomi
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Anjana Sharma
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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14
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Jiang S, Wang Q, Feng M, Li J, Guan Z, An D, Dong M, Peng Y, Kuerban K, Ye L. C2-ceramide enhances sorafenib-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Erk signaling pathways in HCC cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 101:1535-1546. [PMID: 27807662 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7930-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib as an effective multikinase inhibitor has been approved for the clinical treatment against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC treatment requires usually combined therapy because of its complex pathogenesis. Ceramide has been confirmed to induce remarkable apoptosis in human tumor cells and has attracted increasing attention in investigations on combination therapy. In this paper, the anti-HCC effect of sorafenib combined with C2-ceramide was investigated on cell vitality, apoptosis, and migration, and the underlying mechanism was examined using flow cytometry and western blot. Bel7402 cells coincubated with sorafenib and C2-ceramide exhibited lower cell vitality and more irregular cellular morphology and cell cycle arrest. Sorafenib plus C2-ceramide stimulated significantly the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial depolarization, which promoted caspases-dependent cell apoptosis as illustrated by related protein expression including caspase 3, caspase 9, Bax, Bcl-2, and cytochrome c. Combination treatment of sorafenib and C2-ceramide inhibited obviously cell growth and proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Erk signaling pathways. Furthermore, the combination treatment was proved to inhibit cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These findings indicated that the combination of C2-ceramide and sorafenib provided synergistic inhibitory effects on HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Jiang
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiqing Feng
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyang Li
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongbin Guan
- Shanghai Institute For Food And Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Duopeng An
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengxue Dong
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzhe Peng
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kudelaidi Kuerban
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Ye
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Patil MD, Bhaumik J, Babykutty S, Banerjee UC, Fukumura D. Arginine dependence of tumor cells: targeting a chink in cancer's armor. Oncogene 2016; 35:4957-72. [PMID: 27109103 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arginine, one among the 20 most common natural amino acids, has a pivotal role in cellular physiology as it is being involved in numerous cellular metabolic and signaling pathways. Dependence on arginine is diverse for both tumor and normal cells. Because of decreased expression of argininosuccinate synthetase and/or ornithine transcarbamoylase, several types of tumor are auxotrophic for arginine. Deprivation of arginine exploits a significant vulnerability of these tumor cells and leads to their rapid demise. Hence, enzyme-mediated arginine depletion is a potential strategy for the selective destruction of tumor cells. Arginase, arginine deiminase and arginine decarboxylase are potential enzymes that may be used for arginine deprivation therapy. These arginine catabolizing enzymes not only reduce tumor growth but also make them susceptible to concomitantly administered anti-cancer therapeutics. Most of these enzymes are currently under clinical investigations and if successful will potentially be advanced as anti-cancer modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - J Bhaumik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - S Babykutty
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - U C Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - D Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Unravelling the relationship between macroautophagy and mitochondrial ROS in cancer therapy. Apoptosis 2016; 21:517-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-016-1236-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Asparaginase induces apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:3861-73. [PMID: 25738356 PMCID: PMC4414159 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The antitumor enzyme asparaginase, which targets essential amino acid L-asparagine and catalyzes it to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, has been used for years in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), subtypes of myeloid leukemia and T-cell lymphomas, whereas the anti-chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) effect of asparaginase and its underlying mechanism has not been completely elucidated. We have shown here that asparaginase induced significant growth inhibition and apoptosis in K562 and KU812 cells. Apart from induction of apoptosis, we reported for the first time that asparaginase induced autophagic response in K562 and KU812 cells as evidenced by the formation of autophagosome, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-positive autophagy-like vacuoles, and the upregulation of LC3-II. Further study suggested that the Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and Erk (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signaling pathway were involved in asparaginase-induced autophagy in K562 cells. Moreover, blocking autophagy using pharmacological inhibitors LY294002, chloroquine (CQ) and quinacrine (QN) enhanced asparaginase-induced cell death and apoptosis, indicating the cytoprotective role of autophagy in asparaginase-treated K562 and KU812 cells. Together, these findings provide a rationale that combination of asparaginase anticancer activity and autophagic inhibition might be a promising new therapeutic strategy for CML.
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18
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Li Y, Zeng X, Wang S, Fan J, Wang Z, Song P, Mei X, Ju D. Blocking autophagy enhanced leukemia cell death induced by recombinant human arginase. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:6627-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4253-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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19
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Bobak Y, Kurlishchuk Y, Vynnytska-Myronovska B, Grydzuk O, Shuvayeva G, Redowicz MJ, Kunz-Schughart LA, Stasyk O. Arginine deprivation induces endoplasmic reticulum stress in human solid cancer cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 70:29-38. [PMID: 26546743 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Deprivation for the single amino acid arginine is a rapidly developing metabolic anticancer therapy, which allows growth control in a number of highly malignant tumors. Here we report that one of the responses of human solid cancer cells to arginine starvation is the induction of prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Systematic study of two colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 and HT29, glioblastoma U251 MG and ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cell lines revealed, however, that the ER stress triggered by the absence of arginine does not result in massive apoptosis despite a profound upregulation of the proapoptotic gene CHOP. Instead, Akt- and MAPK-dependent pathways were activated which may counteract proapoptotic signaling. Treatment with DMSO as a disaggregating agent or with cycloheximide to block protein synthesis reduced ER stress evoked by arginine deprivation. On the other hand, ER stress and apoptosis induction in arginine-starved cells could be critically augmented by the arginine analog of plant origin canavanine, but not by the classic ER stress inducer tunicamycin. Our data suggest that canavanine treatment applied under the lack of arginine may enhance the efficacy of arginine deprivation-based anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Bobak
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Yuliya Kurlishchuk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Bozhena Vynnytska-Myronovska
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Olesia Grydzuk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Galyna Shuvayeva
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Maria J Redowicz
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Cell Motility, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Str. 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Leoni A Kunz-Schughart
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Oleh Stasyk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov Str. 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine.
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20
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Lin C, Wang Z, Li L, He Y, Fan J, Liu Z, Zhao S, Ju D. The role of autophagy in the cytotoxicity induced by recombinant human arginase in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:8487-94. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6565-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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21
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There has been an increased and renewed interest in metabolic therapy for cancer, particularly Arg deprivation. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent studies that focus on Arg-dependent malignancies with Arginine (Arg)-degrading enzymes, including arginase and Arg deiminase. RECENT FINDINGS New developments in this area include understanding of the role of most significantly downregulated gene regulating amino acid metabolism, argininosuccinate synthetase and its expression and therapeutic relevance in different tumors. Recent studies have also shed light on the mechanism of tumor cell death with Arg deprivation, with arginase and pegylated Arg deiminase. Particularly important is understanding the mechanism of resistance that cancers develop after such drug exposure. Finally, recent clinical trials have been performed or are ongoing to use Arg deprivation as treatment for advanced malignancies. SUMMARY Arg deprivation is a promising approach for the treatment of various malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn G Feun
- aSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida bDepartment of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD, Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas cSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, VA Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
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22
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Wang Z, Shi X, Li Y, Fan J, Zeng X, Xian Z, Wang Z, Sun Y, Wang S, Song P, Zhao S, Hu H, Ju D. Blocking autophagy enhanced cytotoxicity induced by recombinant human arginase in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1563. [PMID: 25501824 PMCID: PMC4454157 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Depletion of arginine by recombinant human arginase (rhArg) has proven to be an effective cancer therapeutic approach for a variety of malignant tumors. Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack of specific therapeutic targets, resulting in poor prognosis and limited therapeutic efficacy. To explore new therapeutic approaches for TNBC we studied the cytotoxicity of rhArg in five TNBC cells. We found that rhArg could inhibit cell growth in these five TNBC cells. Intriguingly, accumulation of autophagosomes and autophagic flux was observed in rhArg-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CQ), 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and siRNA targeting Beclin1 significantly enhanced rhArg-induced cytotoxic effect, indicating the cytoprotective role of autophagy in rhArg-induced cell death. In addition, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a common antioxidant, blocked autophagy induced by rhArg, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) had an essential role in the cytotoxicity of rhArg. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of autophagy involved in rhArg-induced cytotoxicity in TNBC cells. Meanwhile, our results revealed that rhArg, either alone or in combination with autophagic inhibitors, might be a potential novel therapy for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Wang
- 1] Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China [2] Department of Biopharmaceutical Research, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - X Shi
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Y Li
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - J Fan
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - X Zeng
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Xian
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, People's Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Y Sun
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - S Wang
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - P Song
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - S Zhao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - H Hu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Research, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - D Ju
- Department of Biosynthesis and Key Lab of Smart Drug Delivery of MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Li Y, Wang S, Wang Z, Qian X, Fan J, Zeng X, Sun Y, Song P, Feng M, Ju D. Cationic poly(amidoamine) dendrimers induced cyto-protective autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 25:365101. [PMID: 25140534 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/36/365101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are proposed as one of the most promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications because of their unique tree-like structure, monodispersity and tunable properties. In this study, we found that PAMAM dendrimers could induce the formation of autophagosomes and the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, while the inhibition of the Akt/mTOR and activation of the Erk 1/2 signaling pathways were involved in autophagy-induced by PAMAM dendrimers. We also investigated the suppression of autophagy with the obviously enhanced cytotoxicity of PAMAM dendrimers. Moreover, the blockage of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) could enhance the growth inhibition and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, induced by PAMAM dendrimers through reducing autophagic effects. Taken together, these findings explored the role and mechanism of autophagy induced by PAMAM dendrimers in HepG2 cells, provided new insight into the effect of autophagy on drug delivery nanomaterials and tumor cells and contributed to the use of a drug delivery vehicle for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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24
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Fan J, Dong X, Zhang W, Zeng X, Li Y, Sun Y, Wang S, Wang Z, Gao H, Zhao W, Ju D. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor Thiotanib targets Bcr-Abl and induces apoptosis and autophagy in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:9763-75. [PMID: 25200837 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by abnormal Bcr and Abl genes and enhanced tyrosine kinase activity. Anti-CML therapy has been much improved along with the applications of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) which selectively target Bcr-Abl and have a cytotoxic effect on CML. Recently, four-membered heterocycles as "compact modules" have attracted much interest in drug discovery. Grafting these small four-membered heterocycles onto a molecular scaffold could probably provide compounds that retain notable activity and populate chemical space otherwise not previously accessed. Accordingly, a novel TKI, Thiotanib, has been designed and synthesized. It selectively targets Bcr-Abl, inducing growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis of CML cells. Meanwhile, the compound Thiotanib could also induce autophagy in CML cells. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy promotes Thiotanib-induced apoptosis with no further activation of caspase 3, while inhibition of caspases did not affect the cell survival of CML cells. Moreover, the compound Thiotanib could inhibit phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, increase beclin-1 and Vps34, and block the formation of the Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 complex. This indicates the probable pathway of autophagy initiation. Our results highlight a new approach for TKI reforming and further provide an indication of the efficacy enhancement of TKIs in combination with autophagy inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
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25
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Phillips MM, Sheaff MT, Szlosarek PW. Targeting arginine-dependent cancers with arginine-degrading enzymes: opportunities and challenges. Cancer Res Treat 2013; 45:251-62. [PMID: 24453997 PMCID: PMC3893322 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2013.45.4.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine deprivation is a novel antimetabolite strategy for the treatment of arginine-dependent cancers that exploits differential expression and regulation of key urea cycle enzymes. Several studies have focused on inactivation of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1) in a range of malignancies, including melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mesothelial and urological cancers, sarcomas, and lymphomas. Epigenetic silencing has been identified as a key mechanism for loss of the tumor suppressor role of ASS1 leading to tumoral dependence on exogenous arginine. More recently, dysregulation of argininosuccinate lyase has been documented in a subset of arginine auxotrophic glioblastoma multiforme, HCC and in fumarate hydratase-mutant renal cancers. Clinical trials of several arginine depletors are ongoing, including pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20, Polaris Group) and bioengineered forms of human arginase. ADI-PEG20 is furthest along the path of clinical development from combinatorial phase 1 to phase 3 trials and is described in more detail. The challenge will be to identify tumors sensitive to drugs such as ADI-PEG20 and integrate these agents into multimodality drug regimens using imaging and tissue/fluid-based biomarkers as predictors of response. Lastly, resistance pathways to arginine deprivation require further study to optimize arginine-targeted therapies in the oncology clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Phillips
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute - a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael T. Sheaff
- Pathology Group, Institute of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Peter W. Szlosarek
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute - a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
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